A public inquiry into a proposed gipsy caravan site in South Staffordshire was abandoned amid shambolic scenes – after council chiefs admitted they had failed to tell residents it was even happening.

The inquiry into proposals to extend a caravan site in Featherstone was called off before hearing any evidence.

South Staffordshire Council failed to notify the public ahead of the inquiry into plans to extend the Oak Tree Caravan Site, in New Road, and also breached rules by not sending a copy of its central case to the inspector or the applicants.

A planning inspector was due to hear an appeal yesterday against a decision by South Staffordshire Council in November to refuse planning application for eight extra mobile homes.

But before the inquiry started, inspector Philip Crookes revealed he had not received a copy of the district council’s case, which under planning rules should have been sent by February 16.

Letters to the public should have been posted by January 19. The applicant’s representative Philip Brown had also not received a copy of the council’s case.

It then emerged that the council had failed to notify members of the public ahead of the inquiry which the inspector said meant it was “unsafe” to continue.

He said: “It has become increasingly clear to me that we just can’t proceed. It would be very unsafe.

“The final straw here is that it would seem the council has not notified people of the arrangements for today’s hearing. People should have the opportunity to be heard and they may have been denied that.”

District councillor for Featherstone Frank Beardsmore said: “The work was done – it just wasn’t sent out. It is disappointing and embarrassing for the council.

“What we are concerned about is that people who have objected have not had the right to come and be heard.

“We have asked for a meeting with officers to explain what has gone wrong.

“We think it is just an administrative error.”

The public inquiry will resume later in the year.